Original-reading device with a movable reading unit

Abstract

An original-reading device includes a light source for irradiating an original disposed at a reading position, a photoelectric conversion device for converting light reflected from the original into an image signal, a reading unit supporting the light source and the photoelectric conversion device, a feeder for feeding the original to the reading position, a reference member provided at a position different from the reading position, for correcting an image signal from the original, and means for moving the reading unit between a position for reading the reference member and the reading position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An original-reading device comprising: a light source for irradiating an original with light;   a photoelectric conversion device for converting light obtained from the original into an image signal;   a reading unit including said light source and said photoelectric conversion device;   feed means for feeding the original to a reading position, said feed means having an original conveying path;   an image signal-correcting reference member provided at a position different from the reading position, said reference member being disposed above said original conveying path and having a first face facing said path and a second face facing away from said path, said reading unit reading said second face of said reference member; and   means for moving said reading unit between a position for reading said reference member and a position for reading the original.   
     
     
       2. An original-reading device according to claim 1, wherein the image signal from the original read by said conversion device is corrected according to a signal from said reference member read by said conversion device. 
     
     
       3. An original-reading device according to claim 2, wherein said conversion device reads the original after reading said reference member. 
     
     
       4. An original-reading device according claim 1, wherein said reading unit includes an imaging lens for imaging the light reflected from the original onto said photoelectric conversion device. 
     
     
       5. An original-reading device according to claim 1, wherein said reference member is disposed in a fixed position with respect to movement of said reading unit. 
     
     
       6. An original-reading device according to claim 5, wherein said reference member is disposed within said reading unit. 
     
     
       7. An original-reading device according to claim 1, further comprising guiding means for guiding the original to the reading position, and wherein said reference member is provided on said guiding means. 
     
     
       8. An original-reading device according to claim 1, wherein said reading unit is situated above said reference member. 
     
     
       9. An original-reading device according to claim 1, wherein said reference member is white. 
     
     
       10. An original-reading device comprising: a light source for irradiating an original disposed at a reading position;   a photoelectric conversion device for converting light obtained from the original into an image signal;   a reading unit including said light source and said photoelectric conversion device, said reading unit being rotatably movable around a rotation axis;   a reference member provided at a position different from the reading position, for correcting an image signal from the original; and   means for rotatably moving said reading unit between a position for reading said reference member and the reading position.   
     
     
       11. An original-reading device according to claim 10, further comprising feed means for feeding the original to the reading position, and wherein said conversion device reads the original being fed by said feed means. 
     
     
       12. An original-reading device according to claim 10, wherein the image signal from the original read by said conversion device is corrected according to a signal from said reference member read by said conversion device. 
     
     
       13. An original-reading device according to claim 12, wherein said conversion device reads the original after reading said reference member. 
     
     
       14. An original-reading device according claim 10, wherein said reading unit includes an imaging lens for imaging the light reflected from the original onto said photoelectric conversion device. 
     
     
       15. An original-reading device according to claim 10, wherein said reference member is disposed in a fixed position with respect to movement of said reading unit. 
     
     
       16. An original-reading device according to claim 15, wherein said reference member is disposed within said reading unit. 
     
     
       17. An original-reading device according to claim 10, further comprising guiding means for guiding the original to the reading position, and wherein said reference member is provided on said guiding means. 
     
     
       18. An original-reading device according to claim 10, wherein said reading unit is situated above said reference member. 
     
     
       19. An original-reading device according to claim 10, wherein said reference member is white. 
     
     
       20. An original-reading device comprising: a light source for irradiating an original disposed at a reading position;   a photoelectric conversion device for converting light obtained from the original into an image signal;   a reading unit including said light source and said photoelectric conversion device; `a rotating member facing said reading unit and having an outer circumferential surface contacting said reading unit;   a reference member provided at a position different from the reading position, for correcting an image signal from the original; and   means for moving said reading unit between a position for reading said reference member and the reading position in accordance with a rotation of said rotating member.   
     
     
       21. An original-reading device according to claim 20, wherein the image signal from the original read by said conversion device is corrected according to a signal from said reference member read by said conversion device. 
     
     
       22. An original-reading device according to claim 21, wherein said conversion device reads the original after reading said reference member. 
     
     
       23. An original-reading device according to claim 20, wherein said rotating member feeds the orginal between said rotating member and said reading unit, and wherein said reading unit reads the orginal being fed. 
     
     
       24. An original-reading device according to claim 23, wherein said rotating member is white. 
     
     
       25. An original-reading device according to claim 20, further comprising detection means for detecting the original, and wherein said rotating member rotates so as to situate and reading unit at the reference-reading position when the original has been detected by said detection means. 
     
     
       26. An original-reading device according to claim 20, wherein a contact position between said reading unit and said rotating member is different from the reading position. 
     
     
       27. An original-reading device according to claim 20, wherein a surface of said reading unit contacting said rotating member comprises a glass plate. 
     
     
       28. An original-reading device according to claim 20, further comprising a bearing for supporting said rotating member, and wherein said reading unit includes a regulating member for regulating movement of said reading unit by contacting said bearing. 
     
     
       29. An original-reading device according to claim 20, further comprising a pressing means for pressing said reading unit toward the reading position, and wherein said reading unit presses said rotating member when said pressing member presses said reading unit. 
     
     
       30. An original-reading device according claim 20, wherein said reading unit includes an imaging lens for imaging the light relected from the original onto said photoelectric conversion device. 
     
     
       31. An original-reading device according to claim 20, wherein said reference member is disposed in a fixed position with respect to movement of said reading unit. 
     
     
       32. An original-reading device according to claim 31, wherein said reference member is disposed within said reading unit. 
     
     
       33. An original-reading device according to claim 20, further comprising guiding means for guiding the original to the reading position, and wherein said reference member is provided on said guiding means. 
     
     
       34. An original-reading device according to claim 20, wherein said reading unit is disposed above said reference member. 
     
     
       35. An original-reading device according to claim 20, wherein said reference member is white. 
     
     
       36. An original-reading device according to claim 20, furtherd comprising a rotation shaft, and wherein said reading unit rotatably moves around said rotation shaft. 
     
     
       37. An original-reading device according to claim 20, wherein said reading unit comprises a contact sensor. 
     
     
       38. In a device for reading an image from an original, apparatus for reading a reference member to obtain an image correction reference signal, comprising: a reading unit including a photoelectric conversion device for reading the original and the reference member, said reading unit being rotatable about a rotation axis; and   means for rotatably moving said reading unit between a first position where said conversion device reads the original, and a second position where said conversion device reads the reference member.   
     
     
       39. Apparatus according to claim 38 further comprising a reference member fixed with respect to the movable reading unit. 
     
     
       40. Apparatus according to claim 39 further including a roller for feeding the original to the first position, and wherein said reference member is disposed so as not to contact said roller.